TRAINING FOCUS

OUR GOAL:

“To make sure all of our horses have all the necessary foundation skills to reach their maximum potential at whatever discipline his/her owner chooses."

That may appear to be overly simplistic, but we trully believe that virtually all horse problems-or problems people have with their horses-can be traced to a shortfall in the horse’s foundation training or maintenance thereof.

If you asked 100 different people to define what a “finished foundation” is, you would probably get 100 different answers. Without debating differences in technique- which are irrelovent, because the finished results are what matters- let us try to explain how we evaluate the quality of that foundation.

We are definitely not people who jump on the bandwagon with whatever is the current magic “technique” or “catch phraze” being used in the equine world, we do however use the term “Natural Horsemanship” as the most universally understood definition of our training techniques.

Gaining their trust, while acquiring their respect, establishing control of all body parts (head and neck, pole, forequarters, hindquarters, and rib cage), and working with each individual horse’s personality to develop a “willing partner” attitude, creates a foundation that lasts a lifetime with consistent and required maintenance.

There are no magical techniques that will replace time, consistency, persistance, and patience in a training or maintenance routine.

We feel a timetable based on a quantity of days (i.e. 30, 60, 90, etc.) is unrealistic. Here the time invested at each level of training is determined by each individual horse’s disposition and ability. The key is preparing the horse for each step in the training routine. Will all horses be able to perform all skills at the same skill level? Of course not, but each horse can perform to the best of their ability if we can set it up for them so they can understand, and then give them the chance. What one horse seems to learn quickly, or just knows naturally, the next horse may take numerous sessions to understand.

We have a very lengthy and skill specific round corral and ground work routine that we use before under saddle work begins and continuing after riding begins. The more trust, respect, and control we have on the ground, the safer it is for us and the horse when under saddle work begins.




TRUST- The horse “wants” to be with us, is desensitized to our tools(lead ropes, plastic, blankets, saddles, rain slickers, etc.), and ourselves, and demonstrates this by standing calmly and quietly to be handled(saddled, groomed, farrier work, trimmed, bathed etc.). Gaining their trust is the first step in developing ….



RESPECT- When the horse responds to our requests for movement (forwards, backwards, left, or right) we are acquiring their respect and acceptance of us as their leader. The ultimate demonstration of acquiring their respect is by refining the…



CONTROL- By being softer, more supple, and responsive to cues for movement (on the ground or under saddle) the horse tells us how to guide them in establishing better, and better control, in whatever manner that may be. (i.e. latteral or vertical flexion, backing, sidepassing, disengagig hind or forequarters, stopping, gait departures, turning, neck reining, loading into a trailer, lead changes, etc., etc.) Establishing this control develops over time and with these attributes in tact we soon find ourselves with a horse that displays a true. . .



WILLING PARTNER ATTITUDE- Our ultimate goal, as everybody else’s should be, is a horse that wants to do his job and is eager and willing to learn new skills.

Is this a complete, understandable, synopsis of our training philosophy?? We hope that at least you can get an idea of just how important we feel that the foundation ground work and riding skills are and a glimpse of how intensive and skill specific our training schedule is!!

To summarize:

Training under the banner of “NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP” is defined as the ability to gain a horse’s trust, acquire their respect, and develop control of their whole body, all while having a willing and eager partner.

Here are a few phrases we’ve borrowed from other horsemen or horsewomen over the years that mean a lot to us!!

“Most things are taught to horses by people who don’t realize they are teaching their horse anything- usually bad!”

“It takes three things to make a good horse- long rides, wet saddle blankets, and intensive training”

“Where you release is where you teach”

“As gentle as possible, but as firm as necessary”

“You cannot love a horse into respecting you, but you can love a horse that respects you”

“Horses learn one thing at a time”

“There is a fine line between calming a horse’s fears and confirming them”

Great horses really do start with a solid foundation.